"The Super Bowl is the only occasion on TV where the ads are not a nuisance."
Baba Shiv, associate professor of marketing, estimating
that about 15 percent of the Super Bowl's 130 million viewers are more
interested in the commercials than the game (Iowa City Press-Citizen,
Jan. 26).

"It's not pretty no matter how you state it." Tiffani Shaw,
chief financial officer and treasurer of the UI Foundation, discussing
the fact that UI Foundation investments for scholarships and faculty positions
declined almost $58 million last year because of a sagging national economy
(Iowa City Press-Citizen, Jan. 30).

"One feature of my presidency that I hope I will be able to make good
on is I don't intend for us to bellyache about whatever the state is able
to share with us." David Skorton, University president,
speaking about his intention to rebuild ties with the Iowa Legislature
(Omaha World Herald, Feb. 1).

"She was very inspiring. She talked to them about NASA and space exploration.
Her message was aim high and look to the stars." Lea-Der Chen,
professor of mechanical engineering, recalling an inspirational visit
to Penn Elementary in 1998 by Kalpana Chawla, one of the seven astronauts
who died in the Columbia shuttle disaster (Iowa City Press-Citizen,
Feb. 2).

"I think most scientists are pretty shocked. This department is grounded
in space science; we don't want people to think our work is too risky."
Cornelia Lang, assistant professor of physics and astronomy,
mourning the loss of the Columbia space shuttle and worrying about how
the NASA setback will impact Iowa astronomers' studies (Iowa City Gazette,
Feb. 3).

"It's an incredibly emotional show. It just kind of sucks people in with
its dancing and music." Judith Hurtig, artistic director
for Hancher Auditorium, promoting this month's Riverdance performances
(Iowa City Press-Citizen, Feb. 4).

"The bottom line is most patients are doing very well." Stuart
Weinstein, professor of orthopaedic surgery, concluding in a 50-year
study that many adolescents diagnosed with scoliosis, or spine curvatures
can live relatively normal lives without braces, surgeries, or other treatments
(CNN, Feb. 5).

"It's as if some kind of imaginative spark about space travel just died
out." Rob Latham, associate professor in interdepartmental
units, noting that America's enthusiasm for the space program had begun
to wane well before the Columbia shuttle disintegration (International
Herald Tribune, Feb. 6).

"Although there have been some fairly small-scale science results from
the shuttle . . . they've not been anything resembling breakthroughs."
James Van Allen, professor emeritus of physics and astronomy,
joining the debate about the benefits of NASA's shuttle program (ABCnews.com,
Feb. 6).

"If it were my wife, I would settle for one or two cups a day." Edward
F. Bell, professor of pediatrics, offering his opinion on how
much caffeine is safe for women to consume during pregnancy (Pakistan
Tribune, Feb. 21).